Shoe Comprising A Ventilation in the Bottom Zone of the Upper and Air-Permeable Spacing Structure Usable Therefor

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a shoe comprising an upper arrangement and a sole. The upper arrangement has a top upper material and an air-permeable layer that is disposed at the bottom of the upper. The air-permeable layer is disposed in a bottom zone of the upper arrangement above the sole and has a three-dimensional structure which allows air to flow therethrough at least in the horizontal direction. At least one air passage opening is disposed in the lower circumferential zone of the top upper material near the sole. Said opening is connected to the air-permeable layer in such a way that air can be exchanged between the surroundings and the air-permeable layer via the air-permeable layer.

RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a divisional application of pending U.S.patent application Ser. No. 12/996,235 filed Dec. 3, 2010; which claimsthe benefit of International Application No. PCT/EP2009/004109; andfurther claims the benefit of German Patent Application No 10 2008 027856.4 filed Jun. 11, 2008.

BACKGROUND

The invention pertains to shoes with ventilation beneath the sole andwith the transport of sweat moisture through layers beneath the foot toimprove the climate comfort of such shoes.

In earlier times, shoes had either a certain water vapor permeability inthe sole area, also called breathability, as a result of the use of ashoe sole material such as leather, with the drawback of waterpermeability in the sole area, or shoes were watertight in the solearea, but were also water vapor impermeable in the sole area as a resultof the use of outsoles made of a waterproof material, such as rubber ora rubber-like plastic, with the drawback that sweat moisture couldaccumulate in the foot sole area.

Recently, shoes that are waterproof and also water vapor-permeable inthe foot sole area have been created by perforating their outsoles withthrough-holes and covering the through-holes with a waterproof, watervapor-permeable membrane arranged on the inside of the outsole, so thatno water can penetrate into the shoe interior from the outside, butsweat moisture that forms in the foot sole area can escape outward fromthe shoe interior. Two different solutions have been pursued here.Either the outsole has been provided with vertical through-holes thatpass through its thickness, through which sweat moisture can be guidedfrom the shoe interior to the walking surface of the outsole, or theoutsole has been provided with horizontal channels through which sweatmoisture that has accumulated above the outsole can escape through theside periphery of the outsole.

Examples of the first solution, in which the outsole has verticalthrough-openings that pass through its thickness, are shown in EP 0 382904 A1, EP 0 275 644 A1, and DE 20 2007 000 667 UM. A sole compositeaccording to EP 0 382 904 A1 has a lower sole part equipped withmicroperforations, an upper sole part, also equipped with perforations,and a waterproof, water vapor-permeable membrane between these. Theoutsole in shoes according to EP 0 275 644 A1 is provided withrelatively large-area vertical through-holes in order to acquire higherwater vapor permeability, and a water vapor-permeable protective layeris arranged between it and the outsole for mechanical protection of themembrane. The outsole in shoes according to DE 20 2007 000 667 UM isprovided with relatively large-area vertical through-holes in order toacquire greater water vapor permeability, which holes are closed with awater vapor-permeable protective layer. This type of outsole is attachedto a waterproof shaft arrangement, so that a waterproof shoe is present.

Examples of the second solution, in which the outsole has horizontalventilation channels running parallel to its walking surface, are knownfrom EP 0 479 183 B 1, EP 1 089 642 B1, EP 1 033 924 B1, and JP 16-75205U.

The outsole in a shoe according to EP 0 479 183 B1 is provided on itsside that faces away from the walking surface with a protruding outsoleedge on its outer periphery, which is penetrated with microperforationswhich extend horizontally, i.e., parallel to the walking surface. In thespace formed within the outsole edge, a spacer element with transversewebs protruding from the outsole is arranged, which can be embodied as asingle piece with the outsole. An inner band belonging to the spacerelement, which is also penetrated by horizontally running through-holes,is situated within the outsole edge and spaced from it. A watervapor-permeable inlay sole or insole is situated above the spacerelement, wherein beneath the outer peripheral area of said insole, alast insert of a shaft consisting of water vapor-permeable material isinserted, which is situated on the inside of the inner band of thespacer element. A waterproof, water vapor-permeable membrane, extendingupward roughly perpendicular from the inside of the outsole, is situatedbetween the outsole edge with the horizontal microperforations and theinner band with the horizontal through-holes. Because of this membrane,on the one hand, water is prevented from penetrating between the websand into the shoe interior, but on the other hand, sweat moisture thathas reached between the webs from the shoe interior can theoreticallyreach the outside of the sole structure. However, the sweat moisturemust then penetrate not only the membrane but also the microperforationsof the outsole edge, the through-holes of the inner band, and the shaftmaterial.

In the case of EP 1 089 642 B1 the outsole is provided on its side thatfaces away from the walking surface with an upper edge web on the outerperiphery, in the top of which ventilation channels that pass throughthe edge web are made, and with hemispherical protrusions in a sole areawithin the edge web. An upper sole element is arranged on the top of theoutsole, which upper sole element lies on the edge web and on theprotrusions of the outsole and has a water vapor-permeable area coveredwith a waterproof, water vapor-permeable membrane, with an extensionroughly equal to that of the area of the outsole that is provided withthe protrusions. Sweat moisture that collects in the space between theoutsole and the sole element in which the protrusions of the outsole aresituated can theoretically escape through the ventilation channels inthe edge web of the outsole.

EP 1 033 924 B1 shows a shoe with an outsole having an outer peripheraledge protruding from an inside of the outsole, which edge is perforatedby horizontal ventilation channels, i.e., channels running parallel tothe walking surface of the outsole. The outsole is attached to a shaft,which has a lower shaft area on the sole side, which area has a lastinsert connected to the bottom of a peripheral area of a perforatedinlay sole. A waterproof, water vapor-permeable membrane is arranged inthe space formed within the last insert on the bottom of the inlay sole.An air-permeable material constructed with fibers, for example fromfelt, is situated in the outsole space formed within the protrudingouter peripheral edge. Sweat moisture that has reached the air-permeablematerial through the perforated inlay sole and the membrane can diffuseinto the outer environment through the horizontal ventilation channelsof the outer peripheral edge of the outsole. Water that has reached theair-permeable material through the ventilation channels, however, isprevented by the membrane from reaching the shoe interior through theinlay sole. A nail-protection plate is situated on the inside of theoutsole, so that the shoe is suitable as a safety shoe.

A shoe in which the two above-mentioned solutions are combined is knownfrom JP 16-75205 U. The sole structure of this shoe has a perforatedinlay sole, an outsole, which is provided on its upper side that facesthe shoe interior with horizontally running grooves that open to theoutside of the outsole periphery, and through-holes that extend fromthese grooves to the walking surface, and has a waterproof, watervapor-permeable membrane arranged on the bottom of the inlay sole, and aprotective layer, for example made of felt, arranged between themembrane and the outsole. A lower end area of a shaft on the sole sideis inserted in the form of a last insert on the bottom of a peripheraledge area of the inlay sole. While the membrane has the same area as theinlay sole, the protective layer is situated in the same plane as thelast insert and the protective layer extends only between the insideedge of the last insert. The horizontally running grooves are open tothe outer environment on the peripheral area of the outsole. Sweatmoisture can therefore diffuse from the shoe interior through both thevertical through-holes to the outside of the walking surface of theoutsole and through the horizontal grooves to the outer peripheral side.

Especially in shoes whose outsole is not provided with verticalthrough-holes penetrating its thickness or, for safety reasons, forexample, cannot be provided with such through-holes because of therequirement of a nail-protection plate, but even in shoes whose outsoleis provided with such vertical through-holes, it is desirable to createa ventilation system in an area beneath the foot sole with which anoticeable increase in climate comfort in the foot sole area can beachieved.

From this standpoint, the present invention creates a shoe according toclaim 1 and an air-permeable spacer structure according to claim 28,suitable for such a shoe.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The core of the invention is a ventilation space beneath the foot sole,defined by an air-permeable spacer structure, which permits efficienttransport of sweat moisture (water vapor) that has reached beneath thefoot through the layers.

A shoe according to the invention has a shaft arrangement and a sole,the shaft arrangement having an outer shaft material and anair-permeable layer arranged in a shaft bottom. The air-permeable layeris arranged in a lower area of the shaft arrangement on the sole side,above the sole. The air-permeable layer has a three-dimensionalstructure that permits air passage in at least the horizontal direction.The outer shaft material has at least one air-passage opening in a lowerperipheral area on the sole side, by means of which a connection can beproduced between the air-permeable layer and the outer environment ofthe shoe, such that air exchange between the outer environment and theair-permeable layer can occur. In this way, heat and water vapor can beremoved from the area of the shaft arrangement situated above theair-permeable layer, for example, by means of convective air exchangethrough the air-permeable layer.

Since the at least one air-passage opening in the solution according tothe invention, which permits the efficient removal of sweat moisture inconjunction with the air-permeable layer, is not formed in the outsole,where it cannot be particularly large from the standpoint of outsolestability and, especially in a shoe with a rather thin outsole, foraesthetic reasons, but in a lower peripheral area of the outer shaftmaterial on the sole side, where the air-passage opening can be madecomparatively large without a problem, a situation is already achievedfor better air exchange and therefore a greater water vapor removalcapability than in a shoe whose at least one air-passage opening isformed in the outsole.

The shaft arrangement with the air-permeable layer has the additionaladvantage that the air-permeable layer positioned between the at leastone air-passage opening and the shoe interior can extend directly to theinside of the shaft outer material and is not limited, as in the knownsolutions according to EP 1 033 924 B1 and JP 16-75205 U, to theinterior space between the last insert edge of the outer shaft material.For example, in glue-lasted shoes, the air-permeable layer is situatedabove the glue-lasted insert and can therefore provide a larger exchangesurface for water vapor and heat of the foot sole. The air-permeablelayer in the solution according to the invention can therefore have asignificantly larger surface area than in the known solutions, with acorrespondingly larger exchange surface and therefore water vaporremoval capacity.

The solution according to the invention and the high water vapor passageand air exchange effect achieved with it are advantageous both in shoesthat need not be waterproof because they are only used in dry areas, forexample, work shoes in an assembly plant, and in shoes that are alsoworn outdoors and may therefore be exposed to wetness.

For the latter case, a variant of the invention is used whereby, atleast in a lower area of the shaft arrangement that faces the sole, anat least water vapor-permeable functional layer is provided, theair-permeable layer being arranged beneath the functional layer. In onevariant, the air-permeable layer is situated directly beneath the watervapor-permeable functional layer. In one variant of the invention, thefunctional layer is waterproof and water vapor-permeable.

In one variant of the invention, both a shaft functional layer and ashaft-bottom functional layer are provided, so that water vaporpermeability with simultaneous water-tightness is achieved, both for theshaft and for the shaft-bottom area of the shoe.

In another variant of the invention, a waterproof and watervapor-permeable functional layer is situated in the shaft-bottom area,for example, in the form of a functional layer laminate, wherein theair-permeable layer is situated directly beneath the functional layer orthe functional layer laminate. In conjunction with this variant, oneadvantage of the invention lies especially in the fact that through theat least one air-passage opening, in cooperation with the air-permeablelayer, an air exchange and therefore a removal of sweat moisture andheat are made possible. The diffusion path that limits efficiency, whichthe water vapor must travel initially from the bottom of the foot to theair-permeable layer, is minimized by choosing the thinnest possiblelayer structure of the functional layer and the heat transfer ismaximized. If water vapor has reached the air-permeable layer, it isadditionally transported away convectively by the air flow, so that thewater vapor partial pressure difference between the two sides of thefunctional layer is permanently kept at a high level. No additionallayers need be overcome. The water vapor partial pressure differencebetween the two sides of the functional layer is a driving force for theefficient removal of sweat moisture. In addition to water vapor, heat isalso taken off by convection. Due to the fact that the air-permeablelayer in the case of a lasted shaft is arranged above the last insert ofthe outer shoe material, roughly the entire sole surface is availablefor water vapor exchange.

In one variant of the invention, with a shaft functional layer and ashaft-bottom functional layer, these are part of a sock-like functionallayer bootie, in which a shaft area is formed by the shaft functionallayer and a sole area is formed by the shaft-bottom functional layer.

In another variant of the invention with a shaft functional layer and ashaft-bottom functional layer, the shaft functional layer and theshaft-bottom functional layer are connected to each other at a lowershaft area and are sealed watertight with respect to each other at theirshared boundary.

In one variant of the invention, the functional layer of the shaftfunctional layer and/or the shaft-bottom functional layer is part of amultilayer laminate that has at least one textile layer in addition tothe functional layer. Frequently used laminates are two-, three- orfour-layered, with a textile layer on one side or a textile layer onboth sides of the functional layer.

In one variant of the invention, a shaft-bottom functional layerlaminate and/or a shaft functional layer laminate are constructed withthe laminate.

In one variant of the invention, the functional layer has a watervapor-permeable membrane. The membrane is preferably waterproof andwater vapor-permeable. In a preferred variant, the functional layer hasa membrane constructed with expanded microporous polytetrafluoroethylene(ePTFE).

In one variant of the invention, the air-permeable layer is situatedbeneath the shaft-bottom functional layer.

In one variant of the invention, the air-permeable layer is situateddirectly beneath the shaft-bottom functional layer, which, for the casein which the shaft-bottom functional layer is part of a functional layerlaminate, will mean that the air-permeable layer is situated directlybeneath the functional layer laminate.

In one variant of the invention, at least one air-passage opening isarranged in the outer shaft material, such that it is situated at leastpartially at the same height as the air-permeable layer.

In one variant of the invention, at least two at least roughly oppositeair-passage openings are arranged in the lower area of the outer shaftmaterial in the transverse direction of the foot or the longitudinaldirection of the foot. Convective air exchange is also made possible orpromoted by this. Air exchange is strongly promoted by the relativemovement of the shoe wearer with respect to the outside air. Airexchange is intensified in wind and/or during walking or running.

In another variant of the invention, the lower peripheral area of theouter shaft material has several air-passage openings arranged along theperiphery of the shaft arrangement.

In one variant of the invention, the lower end of the outer shaftmaterial has a separate air-permeable shaft material, which is attachedto the outer shaft material and is therefore part of the outer shaftmaterial. This air-permeable shaft material, which extends around themajority of the shaft periphery or even around the entire shaftperiphery, has a plurality of air-passage openings due to itsair-permeable structure. In one variant, the air-permeable shaftmaterial is attached in the form of a mesh to the lower end of the outershaft material. In other variants, the air-permeable shaft material canbe constructed from a perforated or mesh-like material. Thisair-permeable shaft material can be designed to be stable, so that itimparts the required shape stability to the shaft, despite theseair-passage openings, which extend almost or fully around the entireshaft periphery.

In one variant of the invention, the at least one air-passage openinghas a total area of at least 50 mm², preferably at least 100 mm².

In another variant of the invention, the at least one air-passageopening is covered with an air-permeable protective material, forexample a protective gauze or protective mesh made of metal or plastic,in order to inhibit the penetration of foreign objects, such as dirt orstones, through the air-passage opening. The air-permeable protectivematerial can be situated in the area of the lower peripheral region ofthe outer shaft material along the air-permeable layer, specificallyeither on the outside of the air-passage opening or on the inside of theair-passage opening, between the outer shaft material and theair-permeable layer.

In one variant of the invention, the at least one air-passage openingcan be sealed by device. The device serves as temporary protectionagainst outer elements, at least against spray water, so that watercannot penetrate directly through the air-passage opening. The devicecan be designed in the form of a moveable device, for example, as aslide, by means of which the at least one air-passage opening can bepartially or fully closed, in order to throttle or suppress air exchangebetween the exterior of the shoe and the air-permeable layer. This canbe particularly advantageous at low temperatures (for example, inwinter), since an unduly strong cooling effect can occur as a result ofthe removal of sweat moisture and the related cooling effect inconjunction with air exchange through the air-permeable layer. Byclosing the air-passage openings by means of the moveable device, excesswater entry during walking in very wet surroundings can be counteracted.

In one variant of the invention, a ventilator or fan, incorporated, forexample, in the air-permeable layer, ensures constant air exchange withthe surroundings. The power of the fan can be controlled automatically,in order to keep a desired target temperature on the foot. The fan canbe necessary especially during small or low relative movements betweenthe shoe and the surrounding air and at high ambient temperatures, for anoticeable cooling effect.

In one variant of the invention, which involves a lasted shoe, in whicha last insert of the outer shaft material on the sole side is glued ontoa peripheral edge of the bottom of an inlay sole or insole (also knownunder the name AGO), the last insert and the inlay sole to which thelast insert is glued are situated beneath the air-permeable layer.

However, the invention is not restricted to shoes with a lasted shaft,but can be used independently of the manner in which the lower area ofthe outer shaft material has been processed to acquire a shaftarrangement shaped on the shaft-bottom side. In addition to the lastedversion, the known additional versions can also be used. As examples, wecan mention the Strobel version, in which the lower area of the outershaft material is stitched onto the periphery of an inlay sole by meansof a so-called Strobel seam; the string version (also known as stringlasting) in which a cord tunnel, for example, in the form of a spiralloop seam, is applied to the end area of the outer shaft material on thesole side, through which cord tunnel a moving tie cord is passed, bymeans of which the end area of the outer shaft material on the sole sidecan be pulled together; and the moccasin variant, in which the shaft,except for the vamp, and the shaft bottom are made in one piece from apiece of outer shaft material, generally leather.

In one variant of the invention, all components of the shoe thatcontribute to breathability are situated above a boundary plane betweenthe shaft and sole. All components of the shoe, except for the outsolethat touches the ground, are therefore part of the shaft arrangement.This shaft arrangement can be provided fully ready before the outsole isattached to the shaft arrangement in a second manufacturing step,separate in time and possibly in space, for production of the shoe. Theoutsole can be applied immediately after production of the shaftarrangement in a uniform passage through shoe manufacturing, orproduction of the shaft arrangement represents the end of a closedmanufacturing step, whereupon the shaft arrangement obtained in this wayis brought to another production location, where the shaft arrangementis provided with the outsole. This production location can be located inthe same manufacturing plant in which the shaft arrangement is produced.The production location in which the shaft arrangement is provided withthe outsole can, however, also be in an entirely different location fromthe manufacturing location of the shaft arrangement, so that aninterruption of the manufacturing process can occur between the step ofproducing the shaft arrangement and the step of applying the outsole tothe shaft arrangement, during which interruption the finished shaftarrangement is brought to the production location for application of theoutsole to the shaft arrangement. Since all components of the shoe areaccommodated in the shaft arrangement except the outsole, whereby notonly the shaft-bottom functional layer but also the air-permeable layerare attached to the shaft bottom or form a part of the shaft bottombefore the outsole is attached to the shaft arrangement, which canoccur, for example, by molding on or gluing on, the production locationresponsible for applying the outsole to the shaft arrangement need notapply anything other than this outsole, for which normal ordinarymethods and tools are sufficient. The more difficult and awkward part ofshoe production, namely handling and assembling the functional layer andthe air-permeable layer, is included in the production of the shaftarrangement, i.e., in a manufacturing phase, in which more complex andmore complicated process steps are necessary, anyway, than in a processstep in which only an outsole is attached to the shaft arrangement.

In one variant of the invention, the sole is additionally provided withat least one sole passage opening which extends through its thickness.This variant results in a shoe in the foot sole area of which a removalof sweat moisture and heat is made possible both in the verticaldirection through the at least one sole passage opening and in thehorizontal direction through the at least one air-passage opening of theouter shaft material. In addition, the at least one sole passage openingserves as an aid for improved runoff of water that has reached an areaabove the outsole.

In one variant of the invention, a penetration protection element, forexample, in the form of a nail-protection plate, is arranged in or abovethe outsole, to produce a safety shoe. This prevents objects lying onthe floor, such as nails, which could penetrate the outsole, frompenetrating through it and the overlying additional elements of the solestructure and the shaft bottom into the shoe interior and injuring thefoot of the user of the shoe. Such objects, such as nails, are trappedby the penetration protection element, which is a steel plate or aplastic plate, for example, with corresponding penetration resistance.Since passage openings that penetrate the outsole make no sense in sucha safety shoe, because they are covered by the nail-protection plate,anyway, a horizontal lateral removal of sweat moisture remainsexclusively in this type of shoe for ventilation in the foot sole areaand therefore improvement of climate comfort.

In one variant of the invention, the air-permeable layer is formed as anair-permeable spacer structure, configured such that the air-permeablelayer maintains a spacing between the layers situated beneath it andabove it, even when stressed by the foot of the user of the shoe, sothat the air permeability of the air-permeable layer is retained.

In one variant of the invention, the air-permeable spacer structure ismade to be at least partially elastic. Because of this, the walkingcomfort of the shoe is increased, because with this type ofair-permeable spacer structure, cushioning and an easier rolling processduring walking are achieved.

In one variant of the invention, the air-permeable spacer structure isdesigned such that under maximal stress with the maximum weight of theshoe user to be expected corresponding to the shoe size in thecorresponding shoe it yields elastically at most to the extent that evenduring such maximum stress, a significant part of the air conductivityof the spacer structure that forms the air-permeable layer is stillretained. This stipulation for the air-permeable spacer structureensures that the air-permeable spacer structure is not fully compressedwith loss of its air permeability when stressed by the user of the shoe,but instead sufficiently retains the spacer function and thereby the airpermeability of the spacer structure for the ventilation function, evenwhen stressed by the user of the shoe.

In one variant of the invention, the air-permeable spacer structure hasa flat structure that forms a first support surface and a number ofspacer elements extending away from the flat structure at right anglesand/or at an angle between 0 and 90°. The ends of the spacer elementslying away from the flat structure then together define a surface bymeans of which a second support surface, facing away from the flatstructure, can be formed.

In one variant of the invention, the spacer elements of the spacerstructure are designed as knobs, the free knob ends together forming thesecond support surface mentioned.

In one variant of the invention, the spacer structure has two flatstructures arranged parallel to each other, the two flat structuresbeing joined to each other in an air-permeable manner with the spacerelements and held spaced from one another. Each of the flat structuresthen forms one of the two support surfaces of the spacer structure.

All the spacer elements need not have the same length in order to makethe two support surfaces equidistant over the entire surface extensionof the spacer structure. For special applications, it can beadvantageous to make the spacer structure have different thicknesses indifferent zones or at different locations along its surface extension,in order to form a foot bed compatible with the foot, for example.

The spacer elements can be formed separately, in which case they are notjoined to each other between the two support surfaces. However, there isalso the possibility of allowing the spacer elements to touch betweenthe two support surfaces or to fasten at least some of the contact sitesformed in this manner to one another, for example, with a glue or by thefact that the spacer elements are made of materials that can be weldedto each other, such as a material that becomes adhesive from heating.

The spacer elements can be rod- or thread-shaped individual elements orsections of a more complex structure, for example, a truss or lattice.The spacer elements can also be connected to each other in a zigzag orin the form of a cross-grating.

By selecting the material of the spacer elements and/or by selecting theslope angle of the spacer elements, and/or by selecting the percentageof contact sites on which adjacent spacer elements are attached to eachother and/or the shape of the truss or lattice that is used, therigidity and therefore the shape stability of the spacer structure canbe adapted to the corresponding requirements, even under stress.

In one variant of the invention, the spacer structure is designed to becorrugated or sawtooth-like. The two contact surfaces are then definedby the upper and lower wave peaks or the upper and lower sawtooth crestsof the spacer structure.

In one variant of the invention, the spacer structure is designed with areinforced knit, wherein the reinforcement, for example, by gluing, forwhich a synthetic resin adhesive can be used, or by a thermal effect, inwhich the spacer structure is constructed with a thermoplastic materialand this is heated for solidification to a softening point at which thismaterial becomes tacky.

In one variant of the invention, the spacer structure is constructedwith a material chosen from the material group of polyolefins,polyamides, or polyesters.

In one variant of the invention, the spacer structure is constructedwith fibers, at least some of which are arranged as spacers,perpendicular between the flat structures.

In one variant of the invention, the fibers are constructed with aflexible deformable material.

In one variant of the invention, the fibers consist of polyolefins,polyesters, or polyamide.

In one variant of the invention, the flat structures are constructedwith open-pore woven, warp-knit, or knit textile materials.

In one variant of the invention, the air-permeable spacer structure isformed by two air-permeable flat structures arranged parallel to eachother, which are joined to each other in an air-permeable manner bymeans of mono- or multifilaments and spaced at the same time.

In one variant of the invention, the flat structures are constructedwith a material chosen from the material group of polyolefins,polyamides or polyesters.

In one variant of the invention, at least some of the mono- ormultifilaments of the spacer structure are arranged as spacers, roughlyperpendicular between the flat structures.

In one variant of the invention, the mono- or multifilaments consist ofpolyolefins and/or polyesters and/or polyamides.

An air-permeable spacer structure of the type mentioned, designed foruse as an air-permeable layer in a shaft bottom of a shaft arrangementof a shoe, represents an independent inventive object.

The air-permeable layer or the air-permeable spacer structure that formsit has the function of a ventilation layer, the ventilation effect ofwhich is due to a very low resistance to air flow. Air exchange causesan efficient removal of sweat moisture in the form of water vapor fromthe shoe interior to the shoe exterior.

Another advantage of the present invention is in the fact that, becauseof the arrangement of the air-permeable layer according to the inventionin the shaft bottom area of the shaft arrangement, conventional solescan be used without additional modifications. In particular, in hikingshoes and trekking shoes, the border area between the sole and shaftarrangement is sealed from the outside along the shoe periphery with anadditional sole band made of rubber. This band must also be perforatedin the area of the air-passage openings. Shell soles can then be usedfor variants according to the invention if, for example, the air-passageopenings are arranged in the shaft material above the shell edge, or ifthe additional sole band is in turn provided with one or morecorresponding air-passage openings at the locations at which it comes tolie above the at least one air-passage opening of the outer shaftmaterial.

The at least one air-passage opening can have any shape. In one variantof the invention, the at least one air-passage opening has a roundshape, for example, circular or elliptical. The shape of the at leastone air-passage opening, however, can also be angular, for example, itcan have the shape of a square or an elongated rectangle.

DEFINITIONS Horizontal, Vertical:

Apply during viewing of the corresponding object, for example, a sole orshaft arrangement, in a defined position in which this object lies on aflat substrate.

Inside, Outside:

Inside means on the side that faces the shoe interior; outside means onthe side that faces the shoe exterior.

Top, Bottom:

Top means on the side that faces away from the walking surface of thesole of the shoe; bottom means on the side that faces the walkingsurface of the sole of the shoe or the side that faces the substrate onwhich the shoe stands, again under the assumption that the substrate isflat.

Shoe:

Footwear with a closed upper part (shaft arrangement), having a footinsertion opening and at least one sole or a sole composite.

Shaft Arrangement:

Encloses the foot completely up to a foot-insertion opening, and inaddition to the shaft, also has a shaft bottom. The shaft arrangementcan also have one or more linings, for example, in the form of a linerand/or a waterproof, water vapor-permeable functional layer and/or oneor more insulation layers.

Outer Shaft Material:

A material that forms the outside of the shaft and therefore forms theshaft arrangement and consists, for example, of leather, textile,plastic, or other known materials or combinations thereof or isconstructed with them. Generally, these materials and combinations arewater vapor-permeable. The lower peripheral area of the outer shaftmaterial on the sole side describes an area adjacent to the upper edgeof the sole or above a boundary plane between the shaft and the sole.

Shaft Bottom:

A lower area of the shaft arrangement on the sole side, in which theshaft arrangement is fully or at least partially closed. The shaftbottom is situated between the foot sole and the outsole. In shoes witha lasted or Strobel shaft, the shaft bottom can be formed withcooperation of an inlay sole (insole). The shaft bottom can also beprovided with a shaft-bottom functional layer or a shaft-bottomfunctional layer laminate, wherein this laminate can also assume thefunction of the inlay sole.

Inlay Sole (Insole):

An inlay sole is the part of the shaft bottom to which a lower shaft endarea on the sole side is attached. The inlay sole is watervapor-permeable, for example, the inlay sole is formed from a watervapor-permeable material or is configured to be water vapor-permeable bymeans of openings (holes, perforations), which are formed through thethickness of the inlay sole. The inlay sole has a water vaporpermeability number Ret of less than 150 m²×Pa×W⁻¹. Water vaporpermeability is tested according to the Hohenstein skin model. This testmethod is described in DIN EN 31092 (February 1994) and ISO 11092(1993).

Sole:

A shoe has at least one outsole, but it can also have several types ofsoles arranged one above another.

Outsole:

Outsole is understood to mean that part of the sole area that touchesthe ground/floor or produces the main contact with the ground/floor. Theoutsole has at least one walking surface that touches the floor.

Mid-Sole:

In the event that the outsole is not directly applied to the shaftarrangement, a mid-sole can be inserted between the outsole and shaftarrangement. The mid-sole can serve as a cushion, damping or as fillermaterial, for example.

Bootie:

A sock-like inner lining of a shaft arrangement is referred to as abootie. A bootie forms a sack-like lining of the shaft arrangement thatessentially fully covers the interior of the footwear.

Functional Layer:

Water vapor-permeable and/or waterproof layer, for example, in the formof a membrane or a correspondingly treated or finished material, forexample, a textile with plasma treatment. A functional layer in the formof a shaft bottom functional layer can form at least one layer of ashaft bottom of the shaft arrangement, but it can also be additionallyprovided as a shaft functional layer that at least partially lines theshaft; when both the shaft functional layer and a shaft-bottomfunctional layer are present, they can be parts of a multilayer,generally a two-, three- or four-layer laminate; if a shaft functionallayer and a separate shaft-bottom functional layer are used instead of afunctional-layer bootie, these are sealed so as to be waterproof in thelower area of the shaft arrangement on the sole side, for example; theshaft-bottom functional layer and shaft functional layer can also beformed from one material.

Appropriate materials for the waterproof, water vapor-permeablefunctional layer are especially polyurethane, polyolefins, andpolyesters, including polyether esters and laminates thereof, asdescribed in documents U.S. Pat. No. 4,725,418 and U.S. Pat. No.4,493,870. In one variant, the functional layer is constructed withmacroporous, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), as described, forexample, in documents U.S. Pat. No. 3,953,566 and U.S. Pat. No.4,187,390, and expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, provided withhydrophilic impregnation agents and/or hydrophilic layers; see, forexample, document U.S. Pat. No. 4,194,041. Microporous functional layersare understood to mean functional layers whose average effective poresize is between 0.1 and 2 preferably between 0.2 μm and 0.3 μm.

Laminate:

A laminate is a composite consisting of several layers permanentlyjoined together, generally by mutual gluing or welding. In a functionallayer laminate, a waterproof and/or water vapor-permeable functionallayer is provided with at least one textile layer. The at least onetextile layer serves mostly to protect the functional layer during itsprocessing. This refers to a two-layer laminate. A three-layer laminateconsists of a waterproof, water vapor-permeable functional layerembedded in two textile layers. The connection between the functionallayer and the at least one textile layer occurs by means of adiscontinuous glue layer or a continuous water vapor-permeable gluelayer, for example. In one variant, a glue can be applied spot-wisebetween the functional layer and the one or two textile layers.Spot-wise or discontinuous application of glue occurs because afull-surface layer of a glue that is not water vapor-permeable itselfwould block the water vapor permeability of the functional layer.

Waterproof:

A functional layer/functional-layer laminate is considered “waterproof,”optionally including the seams provided on the functionallayer/functional-layer laminate, if it guarantees a water-entry pressureof at least 1×10⁴ Pa. The functional layer material preferablywithstands a water-entry pressure of more than 1×10⁵ Pa. The water-entrypressure is then measured according to a test method in which distilledwater at 20±2° C. is applied to a sample of 100 cm² of the functionallayer with increasing pressure. The pressure increase of the water is60±3 cm H₂O per minute. The water-entry pressure then corresponds to thepressure at which water first appears on the other side of the sample.Details concerning the procedure are stipulated in ISO standard 0811from the year 1981.

Whether a shoe is watertight can be tested, for example, with acentrifuge arrangement of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,329,807.

Water Vapor-Permeable:

A functional layer/functional-layer laminate is considered “watervapor-permeable” if it has a water vapor-permeability number Ret of lessthan 150 m²×Pa×W⁻¹. Water vapor permeability is tested according to theHohenstein skin model. This test method is described in DIN EN 31092(February 1994) and ISO 11092 (1993).

Air-Permeable Layer:

The air-permeable layer has a three-dimensional structure that permitsair passage in at least the horizontal direction. This structure has avery low flow resistance for air. The air-permeable layer permits theabsorption and transport of heat and water vapor from the shoe interiorby means of convection. The air-permeable layer contains an air volumeof at least 50%, in one variant more than 85%. The thickness of theair-permeable layer can be less than 12 mm, wherein the thickness in onevariant is less than 8 mm. The air-permeable layer has a basis weight ofless than 2000 g/m², preferably less than 800 g/m². The air-permeablelayer covers at least 50% and preferably at least 70% of the footstanding surface of the shaft bottom. The air-permeable layer also has astructure with a stiffness such that it is not or is not significantlycompressed by the foot of the user during running.

A spacer structure as known from DE 102 40 802 A2 is suitable as theair-permeable layer, for example, but there it is in conjunction with aninfrared-reflecting material for clothing articles.

The air-permeable layer can be a shaped structure from polymers, a 3Dspacer structure, or a textile structure reinforced with polymer resins,for example. The air-permeable layer can also be produced by aninjection-molding method. In one variant, it can have a channel- ortube-like configuration or can be formed from polymer or metal foams.

Shaped structures from polymers are based on polymer monofilaments,woven fabrics, nonwoven fabrics or lays, which are formed by deformationand fixation of the materials to a rib, knob, or zigzag structure. Thestructure can also be a three-dimensional structure, for example, frompolypropylene, in the form of a wave-like or other shape of filament laybrought to a 3D structure. Deformation and fixation can be carried out,for example, by means of a heated structuring roll or as a thermoformingprocess. The shaped structures can additionally be laminated with awoven or nonwoven fabric in order to improve dimensional stability. Onepossible method for producing such shaped structures is described, forexample, in patent application WO 2006/056398 A1.

The air-permeable layer can also be formed from a 3D spacer structure.Such spacer structures can generally consist of polyester multi- ormonofilaments. Spacer structures can be spacer knits, spacer warp-knits,spacer nonwoven fabrics or spacer woven fabrics. Knitting technologymakes it possible to vary the top and bottom of the product surfaces andthe spacer threads (pole threads) independently of each other. Thus thesurfaces and the hardness, including the spring characteristic, can beadjusted according to the individual application. Spacer structures arecharacterized by very high air circulation in all directions, even understress. The spacer structure, for example, in the form of a spacer knit,can also be produced by impregnating textile fabrics that areimpregnated before or after deformation to a three-dimensional structurewith synthetic resin and thus acquire the desired rigidity. Inorganicfibers, such as glass fibers or carbon fibers, can also be chosen as thefiber material for the spacer structure.

TABLE 1 Selection of possible usable materials for the air-permeablelayer Thick- Basis Air Product ness weight volume Sample ManufacturerCharacteristic name in mm in g/m² in % Polymer 1 Colbond BV 3D mat ENKAspacer: 3-12 100-2000 >70 Polyester structure from 8006H >90 Polyamidesmonofilaments, 5006C Polyolefins thermally 7004H deformed to a zigzagstructure 2 Colbond BV 3D mat ENKA spacer: 3-12 100-2000 >70 Polyesterstructure from 7008 >90 Polyamides monofilaments Polyolefins that arewelded to one another on their inner section points 3 Müller 3D spacer3-mesh 3-12 100-1500 Polyester Textile structure monofilament ormultifilament 4 Tylex 3D spacer Tyl-space 3-12 100-1500 PolyesterLetovice structure monofilament A.S. or multifilament

To summarize, the air-permeable layer should maintain a spacing betweenthe foot and the outsole and form a number of passages that produce theleast possible resistance to air flow and therefore contribute to thetransport of water vapor and heat without adsorbing the water vapor. Theair-permeable layer has no or at least essentially no capillary effect.The air-permeable layer is closed on the bottom by the inlay sole and/ora filler layer and/or the outsole, and is open at least on its peripheryin a manner that permits air permeability. The air-permeable layer ispreferably also open on its upper surface in a manner that permits airpermeability. The upper surface of the air-permeable layer directedtoward the shoe interior in one variant is directed toward a waterproofand optionally also water vapor-permeable functional layer.

The air permeability of the spacer structures is determined according toDIN EN ISO 9237 “Determination of Air Permeability of Textile Fabrics.”In contrast to DIN EN ISO 9237, the flow rate and pressure differenceare not measured perpendicular to the surface, but along the surface.For this purpose, a defined spacer channel bounded by closed coversurfaces is constructed, in which an air stream is supplied from oneside. The pressure difference between the inlet and outlet from thechannel and the flow rate at the air outlet are measured. At pressuredifferences between 0 and 100 Pa at the end of a channel between 300 mmand 1300 mm long, flow rates between 0 and 1 m/s were measured. Thismeans that a spacer structure that no longer generates a measurable flowat the outlet at a static pressure up to 100 Pa and a flow channellength of 300 mm would not be suitable for the present invention.

Air-Passage Opening:

Includes at least one opening in the lower peripheral area of the outershaft material on the sole side. At least two roughly oppositeair-passage openings are preferably present. The air-passage openingscan be introduced by means of punching out, cutting out, or perforationin the outer shaft material, for example. The air-passage opening can beany shape, for example, round or angular. The air-passage opening can beprotected with an air-permeable surface-protection material, forexample, in the form of a mesh or gauze, against penetration by foreignobjects. The protective material can be finished to be hydrophobic. Thetotal area of the at least one air-passage opening is at least 50 mm²,preferably at least 100 mm². In an alternative variant, the air-passageopening can also be formed directly by an air-permeable material, whichcan be used as outer shaft material or as a component of the outer shaftmaterial, and it inherently has the necessary air permeability, so thatno additional openings need be created.

The invention will now be further explained by means of variants. In theaccompanying drawings:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective oblique view of a first embodiment example ofa shoe designed according to the invention, with several air-passageopenings in the outer shaft material;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective oblique view of a second embodiment exampleof a shoe designed according to the invention, with several air-passageopenings in the outer shaft material;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective oblique view of a third embodiment example ofa shoe designed according to the invention, with several partiallyclosable air-passage openings in the outer shaft material;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective oblique view of a fourth embodiment exampleof a shoe designed according to the invention, with an air-permeablegrid-like component of the outer shaft material enclosing the shaftperiphery;

FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of a cross-section through part of theforefoot area of a shoe designed according to one of the variants shownin FIGS. 1 to 4, in a first variant of its shaft arrangement;

FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of a cross-section through part of theforefoot area of a shoe designed according to one of the variants shownin FIGS. 1 to 4, in a second variant of its shaft arrangement;

FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of a cross-section through part of theforefoot area of a shoe designed according to one of the variants shownin FIGS. 1 to 4, in a third variant of its shaft arrangement;

FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of a cross-section through part of theforefoot area of a shoe designed according to one of the variants shownin FIGS. 1 to 4, in a fourth variant of its shaft arrangement;

FIG. 9 shows a schematic view of a cross-section through part of theforefoot area of a shoe designed according to one of the variants shownin FIGS. 1 to 4, in a fifth variant of its shaft arrangement;

FIG. 10 shows a first variant of an air-permeable layer usable for ashoe according to the invention;

FIG. 11 shows a second variant of an air-permeable layer usable for ashoe according to the invention;

FIG. 12 shows a third variant of an air-permeable layer usable for ashoe according to the invention;

FIG. 13 shows a fourth variant of an air-permeable layer usable for ashoe according to the invention;

FIG. 14 shows a fifth variant of an air-permeable layer usable for ashoe according to the invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment example of a shoe 10, which has a shaftarrangement 12 and a sole 14 applied to the lower end area of the shaftarrangement 12, wherein this embodiment example involves an outsole. Theshaft arrangement 12, in the usual manner, has on its upper end afoot-insertion opening 12 a, from which a lace area 12 b extends in thedirection of the forefoot area of the shaft arrangement 12. In the lowerend area of the shaft arrangement 12, a number of air-passage openings20 arranged around part of the periphery of the shaft arrangement 12 canbe seen. In the front part of the forefoot area, which correspondsroughly to the toe area of the shoe, no air-passage openings areprovided in this embodiment. The air-passage openings 20 are uniformlydistributed around the remaining peripheral area of the shaftarrangement 12, with roughly the same spacing, and are formed to becircular. The air-passage openings 20 are also provided with anair-permeable protective covering 22, in order to prevent thepenetration of large particles, such as stones. The protective covering22 can cover the air-passage opening from the outside and/or from theinside. A protective covering 22 can be applied to each individualair-passage opening 20, or an overall protective covering 22 can extendover all air-passage openings. The protective covering 22 can bedesigned, for example, to be gauze-like or mesh-like.

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment example of a shoe 10 that largelyagrees with the first embodiment example shown in FIG. 1, but differsfrom the first embodiment example with respect to the arrangement andshape of the air-passage openings 20. The air-passage openings 20 of theshoe shown in FIG. 2 have an elongated rectangular shape in theperipheral direction of the shaft arrangement 12 and are situated in theforefoot area or heel area of the shaft periphery in the lower end areaof the shaft arrangement. The air-passage openings 20 also have agauze-like protective covering 22.

FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment example of a shoe 10, which largelyagrees with the second embodiment example shown in FIG. 2, but differsfrom the second embodiment example with respect to the arrangement ofthe air-passage openings 20. In the third embodiment example, theair-passage openings 20 also have an elongated rectangular shape in theperipheral direction of the shaft arrangement 12. However, air-passageopenings 20 that are at least roughly opposite each other in thetransverse direction of the foot are situated only in the forefoot areaof the shaft periphery. The air-passage openings 20 are covered with agrid-like protective covering 22.

FIG. 3 also shows a device 45 that is also representative for allvariants of FIGS. 1 to 4, by means of which the air-passage openings 20can be closed as required. The movable device 45 shown includes means bywhich an at least water-repellant material temporarily closes theair-passage opening 20. In the variant shown, an at leastwater-repellant material can be pushed by means of a slide device alongthe shaft periphery over the air-passage opening 20, until it is closed.The slide device can be provided for one air-passage opening or forseveral air-passage openings. The movable device 45 makes it possiblefor the air-passage opening and therefore the air-permeable layer (notshown) of the shaft arrangement 12 to be temporarily protected againstthe penetration of liquids such as water. Closure of the air-passageopenings can also be advantageous in the winter or at very coldtemperatures, since unduly severe cooling of the foot can thereby beprevented. Plugs, slides, flaps, a continuous band, and all otherclosure mechanisms can be used as devices for closure of the air-passageopenings. Possible materials for closure of the air-passage opening canbe plastics, foams, coated textiles, TPU, TPE, silicone, polyolefins,polyamides, and vulcanizates.

FIG. 4 shows a fourth embodiment example of a shoe 10, which largelyagrees with the first embodiment example shown in FIG. 1, but differsfrom the first embodiment example in that the air-passage openings 20are formed by an air-permeable material that extends around the entireperiphery of the lower shaft area. Particularly high air exchange canthereby be achieved between the air-permeable layer and the outersurroundings of the shoe 10, with a correspondingly effective removal ofheat and moisture from the shoe interior to the outer surroundings ofthe shoe 10. The air-permeable material is a component of the outershaft material. In one variant, it can be made of a separatedperforated, grid-like or mesh-like material, which is attached in thelower peripheral area of the outer shaft material on the sole side, orthe outer shaft material itself is correspondingly treated mechanicallyin this lower peripheral area, for example, by punching or perforation.Meshes, gauzes, gauze-like textiles, open-pore foams, air-permeabletextiles, and combinations of these materials can be used as theair-permeable material. These materials can consist, for example, ofpolyesters, polyamides, polyolefins, TPE, TPU, or vulcanizates.

All variants in FIGS. 1 to 4 have the common feature that at least twoair-passage openings are at least roughly opposite each other in thetransverse direction of the foot or the longitudinal direction of thefoot. Because of this, air flow can form through the air-permeablelayer, which is essential during the removal of water vapor and heatfrom the shoe interior by convection. The air flow can also be activelygenerated with an incorporated fan.

The variants in FIGS. 1 to 4 can also be combined with one another.

FIGS. 5 to 9 each show a cross-section through part of the forefoot areaof a shoe 10, especially along line A-A in FIG. 1. While such a line isalso shown only in FIG. 1, the cross-sectional views of FIGS. 5 to 9also apply to the variants shown in FIGS. 2 to 4. FIGS. 5 to 9 each showa shaft arrangement 12 with a sole 14 applied to it, which represents anoutsole in the shown variant. The variants shown in FIGS. 5 to 9 differwith respect to the corresponding shaft arrangement 12.

All shaft arrangements 12 of the variants in FIGS. 5 to 9 have an outershaft material 16, on the inside of which a lining is situated, whichhas either a bootie functional layer 34 (FIGS. 5 and 9), a shaftfunctional layer 37 (FIGS. 6 and 7), or only a liner layer 18 without afunctional layer (FIG. 8). In all five variants, a shaft-bottomfunctional layer is situated in the area of the shaft bottom 15. Theshaft functional layer and the shaft-bottom functional layer can becommon parts of a functional layer bootie 39 (FIG. 5 or 9), or they canbe separate functional-layer parts that are sealed with respect to oneanother (FIGS. 6 and 7). In FIG. 8, only the shoe bottom has afunctional layer. All these functional layers in the embodiment examplesshown are part of a multilayer functional layer laminate, of athree-layer functional layer laminate 24, 27, or 28 in the variantsshown, with a functional layer 34, 37, or 38, which is embedded betweentwo textiles 25 and 26. The textiles in 25 and 26 can usually be onetextile layer each. The shaft functional layer 37, or the shaftfunctional layer laminate 27 (FIGS. 6 and 7), or the liner layer 18(FIG. 8) can be attached to an inlay sole 30 by means of a Strobel seam32. An air-permeable layer 40 (FIGS. 5 to 9) is situated beneath theshaft-bottom functional layer 38 or the shaft-bottom functional layerlaminate 28, specifically at least at about the height of the at leastone air-passage opening 20. The lower end area of the outer shaftmaterial 16 on the sole side is either glue-lasted or attached as a lastinsert 16 a by means of lasting glue (not shown) on the bottom of theinlay sole 30 (FIGS. 5 and 9) or the air-permeable layer 40 (FIGS. 6 and7). Or the lower end area of the shaft upper material 16 on the soleside is connected by means of an additional Strobel seam 33 to anadditional inlay sole 30 a (FIG. 8).

In all variants shown in FIGS. 1 to 9, the outer material 16 isconstructed with a water vapor-permeable material. The inlay sole 30arranged above the shaft-bottom functional layer laminate 28 (FIGS. 6 to8) and the liner layer 18 (FIG. 8) are also constructed with watervapor-permeable material. All layers of the shaft bottom situatedbeneath the air-permeable layer 40, such as the inlay sole 30 in FIG. 5,the filling layers 31 in FIGS. 6 and 7, and the additional inlay sole 30a in FIG. 8 need not have water vapor permeability.

In the variants of FIGS. 5 to 9, the air-passage openings 20 of theouter shaft material 16 are situated directly above the angled area ofthe inserted lower end area of the outer shaft material 16, specificallyat a height such that the air-passage openings 20 are at least atroughly the same height as the peripheral side surfaces 42 of theair-permeable layer 40. In order to achieve particularly effective airpassage between the air-permeable layer 40 and the air-passage openings20, the air-passage openings 20 preferably have a vertical extensionroughly equal to the vertical thickness of the air-permeable layer 40,and the air-passage openings 20 and the air-permeable layer 40 arealigned with respect to each other in the vertical direction such that ahorizontal middle plane of the air-permeable layer 40 and a center axisof the corresponding air-passage opening 20 are at least at roughly thesame vertical height.

In all five variants, the sole 14 is connected to the lower area of theshaft arrangement 12 in such a way that it is connected to the bottom ofthe lower end area 16 a of the outer shaft material 16 forming theinsert, and to the area of the bottom of the shaft bottom that is notcovered by this insert. Unevenness on the bottom of the shaft bottom,caused in particular by a last insert 16 a of the outer shaft material16, can be compensated by a filler layer 31. The sole 14 can beconstructed with waterproof material, in which rubber or a rubber-likeelastic plastic, for example, an elastomer, is involved. The sole 14,however, can also consist of a water vapor-permeable material, such asleather. The sole 14 can be a prefabricated sole glued to the shaftarrangement 12 or a sole molded onto the shaft arrangement 12. A walkingsurface of this sole, situated on the bottom of the sole 14, is providedin the usual manner with a groove pattern, in order to form profileprotrusions that improve the anti-slip characteristics of the shoe 10provided with such a sole 14. In all variants shown in FIGS. 5 to 9, anupper edge 14 a of the sole 14 ends beneath the lower end of thecorresponding air-passage opening 20.

In a manner not shown, especially in the case of walking or hikingshoes, a rubber strip serving mostly as pebble protection can be appliedto the area of the outer shaft material 16 situated directly above theupper edge 14 a of the sole 14, i.e., where the at least one passageopening 20 is situated, for example by gluing to the outer shaftmaterial 16 and the upper edge 14 a of the sole, which has the samecolor as the sole 14, for example. In order to avoid blocking the airpermeability of the air-passage openings 20, the rubber edge on theair-passage openings 20 is provided in turn with air-passage opening atcorresponding sites. In all variants of FIGS. 5 to 9, the air-passageopenings 20 are provided with an air-permeable protective covering 22,which is formed, for example, by a gauze or mesh made of metal orplastic or by a textile material with high air permeability andtherefore also high water vapor permeability. The protective covering 22can be situated on the outside (FIGS. 5, 6, 8, and 9) or inside (FIG. 7)of the corresponding air-passage opening 20. Either each air-passageopening 20 has its own protective covering 22 applied or a commonprotective covering strip is applied to some of the air-passage openings20 or all air-passage openings 20, which strip extends over thecorresponding number of air-passage openings 20.

FIGS. 5 to 9 will now be considered in additional detail.

In the variant according to FIG. 5, the functional layer on the insideof the outer shaft material 16 and the functional layer on the top ofthe air-permeable layer 40 are both part of a sock-like bootie 39 thatlines the entire shaft arrangement 12 on its inside, except for thefoot-insertion opening 12 a. Such a bootie is usually stitched togetherfrom several functional layer parts, wherein the stitching sites areglued over with a watertight seam-sealing strip and made watertight inthis way. However, the bootie could also be produced from one piece ofmaterial, which would then no longer entail the need for sewing togetherand sealing. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the bootie isconstructed with the already mentioned functional layer laminate 24. Theshaft arrangement 12 is therefore waterproof, and after addition of asole 14, a waterproof shoe is present. The air-permeable layer 40 isarranged in the shaft bottom area directly beneath the functional layerlaminate 24 of the bootie 39. The air-permeable layer 40 then extendsover the entire shaft-bottom area, and the entire foot sole is thenavailable for water vapor exchange and heat exchange. Beneath theair-permeable layer 40 the inlay sole 40 is situated, on the bottom ofwhich the last insert 16 a of the lower end area on the sole side isattached by means of lasting glue (not shown). Instead of using aseparate inlay sole, it is also possible in certain variants to make thebottom or lower support surface of the air-permeable layer 40correspondingly stable, so that the last insert can be attached to thisbottom. In such an embodiment, the air-permeable layer additionallyassumes the function of an inlay sole.

In the variant according to FIG. 6, separate functional layers 37 and38, which belong to the shaft functional layer laminate 27 and theshaft-bottom functional layer laminate 28, respectively, are situated onthe inside of outer material 16 and in the area of shaft bottom 15. Aninserted lower end area 27 a of the shaft functional layer laminate 27on the sole side is firmly stitched to the inlay sole 30 by mean of aStrobel seam 32. The shaft-bottom functional layer laminate 28 issituated beneath the inlay sole 30 and extends to beneath the insertedend area 27 a of the shaft functional layer laminate 27 and is joined ina waterproof manner to the end area 27 a by means of a sealing material(not shown), for example, in the form of a sealing glue, so that theshoe interior is waterproof all around because of the cooperation of thefunctional layers 37 and 38, which are sealed with respect to eachother, with the exception of the foot-insertion opening 12 a and thelace area 12 b of the shoe 10, as when a functional layer bootie isused. It is also possible to connect the shaft-bottom functional layerabove the inlay sole to the shaft functional layer laminate in awaterproof manner. Since the shaft-bottom functional layer 38 extends tobeneath the inserted end area 27 a and thereby beyond the Strobel seam32, the Strobel seam 32 is also sealed from the shaft-bottom functionallayer 38. The air-permeable layer 40 is arranged directly beneath theshaft-bottom functional layer laminate 28. The last insert 16 a of theouter material 16 is attached to the bottom or lower support surface ofthe air-permeable layer 40 by means of a lasting glue (not shown). Theair-permeable layer therefore additionally assumes the function of aninlay sole. In principle, however, it would also be possible to providea separate inlay sole beneath the air-permeable layer. Unevenness on thebottom of the shaft bottom 15 caused by the last insert 16 a of theouter material 16 is compensated by the filler layer 31, in the manneralready mentioned.

The variant shown in FIG. 7 differs from the variant shown in FIG. 6only in that the protective covering 22 is not arranged on the outside,but on the inside of the outer shaft material 16, directly along theperipheral side surfaces 42 of the air-permeable layer 40 and on theinside, in front of the air-passage opening 20.

The variant shown in FIG. 8 differs from the variants according to FIGS.5 to 7, on the one hand, in that the outer material 16 is provided onlywith a liner layer 18, but not with a shaft functional layer, except fora lower area close to the shaft bottom 15 and, on the other hand, by thefact that two inlay soles and two Strobel seams are present. The linerlayer 18 has a liner layer insert 18 a on a lower end on the sole side,which insert is joined to an inlay sole 30 by means of a Strobel seam32. The lower end area 16 a of the outer shaft material 16 on the soleside is connected by means of an additional Strobel seam 33 to anadditional inlay sole 30 a. The shaft-bottom functional layer 38, whichcan again be part of the shaft-bottom functional layer laminate, has anupward protruding collar 38 a on its outer periphery that extends into agap between the outer material 16 and the liner layer 18. Theair-permeable layer 40 is arranged between the shaft bottom functionallayer 38 or the shaft-bottom functional layer laminate and theadditional inlay sole 30 a. The shaft-bottom functional layer laminatecan also be arranged above the inlay sole.

However, the upper shaft area in the variant according to FIG. 8 is notwaterproof. The shoe according to FIG. 8 is therefore particularlysuitable for a use where wetness from the top is less of a concern thanwetness from the bottom and from the side, i.e., for walking or hikingin moist surroundings, when it is not raining or when one is standingfor only a shorter time in the rain.

The variant shown in FIG. 9 essentially corresponds to the variant shownin FIG. 5. In contrast to FIG. 5, the inlay sole 30 is configured suchthat the surface of the inlay sole 30 directed toward the air-permeablelayer 40 is raised in the center at an angle and protrudes into theair-permeable layer. The lower support surface of the air-permeablelayer 40 is therefore raised or pressed according to the angularelevation of the inlay sole 30. As a result of this, two sloped planesare formed within the air-permeable layer, which run downward from thecenter in the direction of the peripheral side surfaces 42 and thusfacilitate runoff of any water present in the air-permeable layer 40.Such a configuration of the inlay sole 30 can also be provided for thevariants in FIGS. 5 to 8.

Different variants of spacer structures 60 are shown as examples inFIGS. 10 to 14, which are suitable for the impermeable layer 40according to the invention. All these spacer structures have the commonfeature that they form two support surfaces spaced from each other,wherein the spacer structure lies with the lower support surface on thecorresponding substrate and its upper support surface serves as asupport surface for the layer situated above the spacer structure, whichcan be the bottom area of the functional layer bootie (FIG. 5 or 9) orthe shaft-bottom functional laminate (FIGS. 6 to 8). The two supportsurfaces are either both formed by a flat structure, and are held at aspacing from each other by means of spacers situated between them, atleast the upper one of which is air permeable (FIG. 11), or only thelower support surface is formed by a flat structure, from which spacerelements protrude, the free ends of which form support points thattogether have the function of the upper support surface (FIGS. 10, 12,and 14). Or else there is neither a lower nor an upper flat structure,but a single flat structure which is brought into a corrugated or zigzagform with lower and upper wave or tooth crests that define the lower orupper support surface (FIG. 13).

The spacer structures shown in FIGS. 10 to 14 will now be considered inmore detail.

In the variant shown in FIG. 10 of a spacer structure 60 appropriate asan air-permeable layer 40, roughly hemispherical protrusions or bulges65 bulge upward from a lower flat structure 64, whose upper crestsdefine an upper support surface. In one variant, this spacer structure60 consists of an initially flat knit or solid material which, after ithas been brought to the form shown, is stiff or stiffened by adeep-drawing process, for example, such that it retains this shape evenunder the stress to which it is exposed during walking with the shoeequipped with this spacer structure. In addition to a deep-drawingprocess, other steps already mentioned can also be used, namelydeformation and stiffening by a thermoforming process or impregnationwith a synthetic resin that cures to the desired form and stiffness.

FIG. 11 shows an embodiment example for a spacer structure 60 suitableas an air-permeable layer 40, whose upper and lower support surfaces areformed by two parallel air-permeable flat structures 62 and 64 that arechosen, for example, from the group of polyolefins, polyamides, andpolyesters, wherein the flat structures 62 and 64 are joined to eachother in an air-permeable manner by support fibers 66 and aresimultaneously spaced. At least some of the fibers 66 are arranged asspacers, at least roughly perpendicular, between the flat structures 62and 64. The fibers 66 are made of a flexible, deformable material, suchas polyester or polypropylene. Air can flow through the flat structures62 and 64 and between the fibers 66. The flat structures 62 and 64 areof open-pore woven, warp-knit, or knit textile materials. Such a spacerstructure 60 can be the already mentioned spacer knit available from theTylex Co. or the Müller Textile Co.

The spacer structure 60 shown in FIG. 12 has a structure similar to thespacer structure shown in FIG. 10, but it consists of a knit of knitfibers or knit filaments that is brought into this form and consolidatedin this form by a thermal process or impregnation with synthetic resin.

FIG. 13 shows a variant of a spacer structure 60 with a zigzag or asawtooth profile, to which an initially flat material has been shaped,such that the upper and lower crests 60 a and 60 b define the upper andlower support surface of this spacer structure 60. The spacer structure60 of this form can also be formed by the already mentioned methods andreinforced to the desired stiffness.

FIG. 14 shows another embodiment example of a spacer structure 60suitable as an air-permeable layer 40 according to the invention. Inthis variant, spacer elements are formed not by protrusions or bulgesfrom the single lower flat structure 68, but by fiber bundles 70 thatprotrude upward from the flat structure 68 and whose upper free endstogether define the upper support surface. The fiber bundle 70 can thenbe applied by flocking the lower flat structure 68.

1. An air-permeable spacer structure designed for use as anair-permeable layer in a shaft bottom of a shaft arrangement of a shoe,wherein the air-permeable spacer structure has a flat structure and aplurality of spacer elements extending away from the flat structurevertically and/or at an angle between 0° and 90°.
 2. The air-permeablespacer structure according to claim 1, whose spacer elements areembodied as knobs.
 3. The air-permeable spacer structure according toclaim 1, which is constructed with two flat structures arranged parallelto each other, which are joined to and held spaced from one another inan air-permeable manner by means of the spacer elements.
 4. Theair-permeable spacer structure according to claim 1 constructed with areinforced knit.
 5. The air-permeable spacer structure according toclaim 1, which is designed to be corrugated or sawtooth-shaped.
 6. Theair-permeable spacer structure according to claim 1, wherein the spacerstructure is constructed at least partially with monofilament and/ormultifilament threads and at least some of the monofilament and/ormultifilament threads are arranged as spacers between them, verticallyand/or at an angle to the flat structures.